1934 – 1940 Timeline
Today we have another letter from a friend of Lad’s who seems quite interested on what has been happening in Venezuela.
Thursday
Jan. 4, 1940
Dear Alfred –
Well here is the Knopps – answering your letter. You know Al – Would of written before but did not have your address – there isn’t much new to write only – Lenze has the station now, he took everything on himself – Sam – sold the ______ out to the Gulf – so there isn’t the middleman now and Lenze has a larger spread – he deals with the Gulf – and he is so happy over the whole thing. We heard they are going to build a modern station in the spring – I hope so – that will improve his business, don’t you think so?
Well Al – your letter was so interesting – Lenze told me to always keep it – it sure gave us an idea of Venezuela – and to
Lad in Venezuela
think – you are one of the pioneers – oh Al – that must be a thrill. I only hope you stick it out and get into something good, and big – as there isn’t anything here that pays anything worthwhile – I know it must be lonesome – but after the first year – you will have a lot of new friends, and you will like it, we know as we have gone through it. When we first went to Miami, I used to cry every night – and hated it there – but after a year passed by – you know there isn’t a place I like so well – and wish every day we were back there. We learned to love it oh so much, Al. So here’s hoping you will write another interesting letter like the other one. We all send our love and best of luck.
The Knopps
P.S. Forgot to tell you Alfred – Gene has his own store – he was made manager 13 October 13th , it’s one of the Woolworth’s stores in Bornton, N.J. – that is about 100 miles from here – I had my tonsils out the same week and George took over the station the next week. Whoopie – everything happens at once – old boy – I wish that the coming year brings everything grand and good – lots and lots of prosperity – and good health – and happiness – with “God’s” willing – throughout the coming year of 1940. This is our wish for you – away down there in a foreign country.
Tomorrow, I’ll be posting another Tribute to Arla and on Sunday, the story of Mary E. Wilson landing at Ellis Island.
Next week, we’ll be checking in on Dan and Ced at the latter part of 1940 to find out what is going on in Alaska and at home.
Judy Guion
"Greatest Generation" Life Lessons 
I agree with Gallivanta. Over the years I have saved many letters, but then they would get disorganized and out of control and out they’d go – a major mistake!
gpcox – I know what you mean. I certainly don’t think I have much in the way of correspondence from friends – not even love letters !!!
I am trying to think how many letters I still have from friends. Maybe one or two. Most of the letters I kept were from family members. It’s great that you have letters from people outside the immediate family.
Gallivanta – That is definitely my Father’s Analytical personality shining through. When he passed away, there were about 30 jars of different sized nuts, bolts, nails, screws, etc. The Greatest Generation believed “that I might need this some day”, and many of them have kept tons of stuff.
Great discussion about holding on to ‘nuts and bolts.’ I consider almost everything I touch and some I don’t touch while doing research to be part of the nuts and bolts of research I may need for a story I’m working on. I understand the jars of nuts, nails, etc. My father did the same thing and when I went through the cleaning out process – it was amazing how no one in the family wanted any of that old stuff! Now, everyone wants to know where they can find a copper 5 penny nail!
sheridegrom – The Greatest Generation sure could teach current generations about being thrifty. They did not believe in throwing anything out – and today’s “disposable economy” would drive them NUTS.
30 Jars! How wonderful :)
Gallivanta – it just blew my mind !!!! :)